Automatic machine for forming shaped pieces of dough

Abstract

An automatic machine for forming shaped dough pieces which are fed, as strips, by a conveyor and discharged onto a baking tin. The frame oscillates along a horizontal plane and each point thereof describes a closed trajectory so as to form shaped pieces of a closed or open configuration. In this way, it is possible to form in the baking tin placed beneath the conveyor belt, in consequence of the combination of the oscillating motion of the tin and the discharge therein of the strips, pieces of dough that extend along closed trajectories, particular trajectories being constituted by two identical superimposed branches. After the shaped dough pieces have been formed, suitable cutting means shear the parts of the strips of dough situated between the conveyor and the baking tin disposed below the conveyor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an automatic machine for forming shaped pieces of dough having closed or open configuration, comprising: a device for manipulating the moistened and kneaded flour, designed to furnish at least one continuous strip of dough and set in intermittent operation by first drive means; a first conveyor, set in intermittent operation by second drive means synchronously with the said first drive means, placed downstream of the said manipulation device, oriented downwards and destined to receive the said strip of dough in order to carry it downwards into the region of a station where the said pieces of dough are defined; a second conveyor positioned beneath the first conveyor, constituting, jointly with the lower extremity of the latter, the above-mentioned station that is destined to receive, resting thereon, the said strip and is set in intermittent operation by third drive means on a time relationship basis with the said other drive means; and movable cutting means, positioned above the said second conveyor, downstream of the aforementioned station, destined to intercept, when in the operating position, the part of the said strip that is in between the first and the second conveyor, the said movable cutting means being set in intermittent operation by fourth drive means on a time relationship basis with the said first, second and third drive means; the improvement comprising: a frame for supporting the said second conveyor and the corresponding third drive means, and for supporting the said cutting means and the corresponding fourth drive means, secured by means of ball and socket joints to the extremity of at least three arms, the other extremity of which is secured, in each case, to a fixed structure by means of ball and socket joints; projections and blocks connected to the said frame, positioned beneath the lower extremity of the first conveyor perpendicularly to the movement direction of the second conveyor, destined, in cooperation with the said cutting means, when these are in the operating position, to shear the part of the strip that is in between the first and the second conveyor; means for operating the said frame on a time relationship basis with the said first, second, third and fourth drive means, defining for each point of the said frame, closed trajectories contained in horizontal planes; and means for stabilizing the vertical elevations of each point of the frame. 
     
     
       2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for operating the said frame comprise: a horizontal bar, one extremity of which is connected to the said frame while the other extremity is provided with a vertical pin pivotally connected to a horizontal element that connects thereto a vertical shaft, eccentric with respect to the said pin, set intermittently in operation by fifth drive means on a time relationship basis with the said other drive means. 
     
     
       3. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for operating the said frame comprise fifth means for driving the said frame in a straight line in the longitudinal direction coinciding with the direction in which the second conveyor moves forward, or in the transverse direction, and means that exert an effect on the said frame and are destined to cause the latter to follow an obligatory path in either the transverse or the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       4. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the said stabilization means are constituted by at least one longitudinal bar, rotatably connected to the structure of the said machine, with which are integral at least two upward pointing rods, to each upper extremity of which is pivotally connected, in a way whereby it is able to rotate with respect to the axes of the said rods, an arm which, furthermore, is pivotally connected to the said frame. 
     
     
       5. Machine according to claim 1, in which the second conveyor is defined by two longitudinal sections, integral with the said frame, for supporting and guiding a plurality of baking tins that are aligned and are subjected to drive means set in intermittent operation by the said third drive means, and wherein there is a crosspiece, the extremities of which are pivoted to supports integral with the said sections, this provided in the center with a downward pointing rod of a width less than that of the baking tins, so positioned as to define the counter-blade of the said cutting means, as well as to be intercepted by the front walls of the said baking tins with the consequent rotation, in a predetermined direction, of the said crosspiece; the said crosspiece being, furthermore, provided with at least one projection, the abutment of which against a member integral with the said frame prevents the said crosspiece from rotating in the opposite direction to the said predetermined direction.